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Kidnapped

Robert Louis Stevenson

Cover of Kidnapped

Kidnapped

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Robert Louis Stevenson

Reading Level 6 11MP Ages 9-12 Matched

The text is written at a 6th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.

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About This Book

David Balfour is no ordinary boy—he’s thrown into a world of shipwrecks, daring escapes, and mysterious plots that will test his courage like never before. Every twist and turn pulls him deeper into an adventure where danger lurks at every wave. What will he do when his very life is at stake?

Quick Assessment

Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevenson is a classic adventure novel suitable for children ages 9-12. It follows David Balfour as he navigates perilous challenges including shipwreck, murder, and escape, offering a thrilling introduction to classic literature with themes of bravery and resilience. Parents should note the story involves moderate suspense and peril but is appropriate for middle-grade readers.

Why we rated Kidnapped 11MP

Kidnapped is written at a Level 6 reading level across 292 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Kidnapped works for readers up to grade 8.0.

We rate Kidnapped as 11MP ("Moderate — Physical") because the content sits in the "Moderate" range — moderate conflict that may involve loss, scary scenes, or interpersonal stakes. The strongest signals come from emotional weight, physical peril — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.

No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the moderate intensity score.

Thematically, Kidnapped explores adventure, classics, coming of age, and friendship — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.

Good fit for

  • Children in the Ages 9-12 range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
  • Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
  • Kids drawn to stories about adventure, classics, coming of age.

Maybe not for

  • ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
  • ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.

For Parents

Content Intensity

11MP — Moderate — Physical
Emotional
Moderate
Physical
Moderate
Social
Clear
Thematic
Light

Real stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.

Data confidence: standard

Was our "Moderate" content intensity rating accurate for this book?

Reading Insights

Hook Factor

2/10

A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.

Discussion Potential

3/10

A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.

Book DNA

Multi-dimensional content fingerprint

Vocabulary Level
5
Emotional Weight
6
Theme Richness
4
World Scope
1
Data Confidence
7

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Details

Book Length

292 pages
ISBN
9781417609680
Pages
292
Publisher
Scholastic Inc.
Published
May 2000
Type
Fiction

Genres

Subjects

ClassicsContemporary